Class of 2023
Olivia Anderson
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
What was your best memory or experience with the Marine Biology program?
Reflecting on my experiences in the Marine Biology program, my time in the IBIS program stands out as particularly memorable and impactful. It has been a wonderful experience to learn from my mentor, Nicole Doran. Looking back on this experience, I am filled with gratitude for the time and effort that my mentor invested in me. She not only helped me develop important research skills, but also inspired me to pursue a career in scientific research.
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
One of the highlights of my time in the Marine Biology program was attending the Marine Biology in the Field course at Friday Harbor Laboratories. This was my first hands-on experience with conducting my own research, and what I learned from this course will be carried with my throughout my career in the marine biology field.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
After graduation, I hope attend graduate school and eventually start a career in marine biology with a focus on benefiting Indigenous communities. I feel confident that the skills I learned in this program will give me the tools to succeed.
Indra Behar
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Paleobiology
What are your current plans post-graduation?
I will be attending UW’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs next year.
Amaya Berge
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
What was your best memory or experience with the Marine Biology program?
One of my favorite memories as a student at UW was during my research associateship at Friday Harbor Labs in the fall of 2021. Towards the end of the program, a massive group of approximately 45 SRKWs (a mix of J, K, and L) swam through San Juan Channel and it was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had the opportunity to see while studying at UW.
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Shoutout to Dr. Jose Guzman and Dr. Kristin Laidre for teaching some of the most incredible courses here at UW! I loved learning from both of you about marine organisms and the Arctic during my time at UW.
Allie Bilson
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
What was your best memory or experience with the Marine Biology program?
My time at Friday Harbor Labs really stands out to me and is a really cherished memory! I made friends with other people in the program and it was an amazing place to do fieldwork. Hope to find my way back to FHL someday!
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
There are so many amazing instructors in the program, but my favorite courses were taught by Professor Wood, who taught Parasite Ecology and encouraged my love of parasites, and Professor Guzmán. They are both such wonderful instructors and their classes are interesting and engaging! I’m glad to have had the opportunity to learn from them both.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
After graduation, I hope attend graduate school and eventually start a career in marine biology with a focus on benefiting Indigenous communities. I feel confident that the skills I learned in this program will give me the tools to succeed.
Laurel Birkhahn
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
What was your best memory or experience with the Marine Biology program?
My best memory is hands down my experience at Friday Harbor Labs! I spent 5 weeks learning Marine Subtidal Ecology, learning to science snorkel, made life long friends, developed research skills I will never forget, and will forever be dreaming of the experience.
Madeline Brooks
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minors in Aquatic & Fishery Sciences and Public Policy
What was your best memory or experience with the Marine Biology program?
Spending time in Friday Harbor with my 488 class!
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Taking classes with Jose and building on skills from freshman year to now!
What are your current plans post-graduation?
This summer I’ll continue to work in SRKW research with Oceans Initiative during their field season, and hopefully continue to work with education, out reach, and policy work for charismatic megafauna.
Ethan Cole Buchband
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Shawn Nigel Canonizado
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Quantitative Science
Evan Carroll
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Alex Coenen
Bachelor of Science, Majors in Marine Biology and ESRM
What was your best memory or experience with the Marine Biology program?
The Zoobot program at Friday Harbor labs was an amazing opportunity and really opened my eyes to the diverse marine ecosystem of Washington state. Getting hands-on experience with unique algae and invertebrates was such an invaluable resource!
What are your current plans post-graduation?
I plan to volunteer banding Rhinoceros auklets and Pigeon guillemots in Washington state during the summer. After a long needed break, I plan to attend attend grad school in the future!
Leah Ruth Davis *
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology and Minor in American Indian Studies
What are your current plans post-graduation?
After graduating from the University of Washington, I will be joining Dr. Jonathan Moore’s Salmon Watersheds Lab for graduate school at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.
Anna Jane Doremire
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Katie Lee Yuling Fitzgerald
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Ally Galiotto Fitzgerald
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Bachelor of Arts, Major in Environmental Studies
Sage A Glass
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Data Science
What are your current plans post-graduation?
Currently working as a Research Associate at the J.Craig Venter Institute. Hopeful to transition to field work in the next year.
Abigail Goudey
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
Casey Jo Haagenson
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
Getting to go to Friday Harbor Labs was a great experience! The connections and friend I made during my time there is definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Getting to work with José was definitely the greatest part of the program. During my time there he was kind, considerate, and honestly just excited to see his students learn and get excited about marine biology. He always laughed at my stupid jokes and made the more complicated concepts of marine biology easy and interesting to learn about.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
I’ll be working as a Marine Biologist and Engineer at SMRU consulting in Friday Harbor. I get to combine my love for marine mammals and computer science to great marine mammal research tools that make it easier for marine mammalogists to learn more about whales, seals, and other marine mammals.
Jason Halden
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minors in Quantitative Science and Oceanography
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
Getting to go to Friday Harbor Labs was a great experience! The connections and friend I made during my time there is definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Getting to work with José was definitely the greatest part of the program. During my time there he was kind, considerate, and honestly just excited to see his students learn and get excited about marine biology. He always laughed at my stupid jokes and made the more complicated concepts of marine biology easy and interesting to learn about.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
I’ll be working as a Marine Biologist and Engineer at SMRU consulting in Friday Harbor. I get to combine my love for marine mammals and computer science to great marine mammal research tools that make it easier for marine mammalogists to learn more about whales, seals, and other marine mammals.
Jente He
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Anna Hedemark
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
Going to Friday Harbor for MarBio488 (Research in the Field) was such a fun experience, working hands on with my peers to do active research in the San Juans was an unforgettable experience. Instructors were helpful and very encouraging, and getting to meet new friends while doing something we all loved was such a enlightening experience and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for everyone involved.
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Jose Guzman was such a great instructor who uplifts all students and encourages them to look deeper into our research and helped us become better marine scientists.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
Currently looking to take a year off and gain more research experience before moving onto grad school.
Rebecca Kristin Johnson
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minors in Quantitative Science and ESRM
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Kenneth Kawamoto
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Genevieve May Aveline Kent
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Oceanography
Neetha Kumar
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
I remember walking into Joes office planning on dropping out of school and instead signing the paperwork to sign up for the major on the spot. Best decision ever
What are your current plans post-graduation?
Currently working as a Marine Science Instructor at Seattle Aquarium.
Santiago Ledesma
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Jenna Leverich
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Finn Luca Mander
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Josie McKillop
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Oceanography
Caitlin McLellan
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Wenjia Mei
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Oceanography
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
There were too many amazing classes and professors I met during my 4 years as a Marine Biology undergrad, but there was one class that will forever hold a special place in my heart, and that is FISH 312, Fishery Ecology with Chelsea Woods! Chelsea was such an articulate teacher and an amazing listener. We went on three memorable field trips that helped me learn about what it is like to do field works. At the end of the quarter, she said ” Find the you-shaped hole in the world and fill it.”
Nicholas Miller
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Malcolm Munsil
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
Finding some deer bones in the woods at Friday Harbor Labs, bagging them up, and then dumping them onto my desk when Adam Summers asked for my natural history observation.
Adam Nguyen
Bachelor of Science, Majors in Marine Biology and Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
I had such an amazing time in FISH 312 going on the stream surveys and the Rachel Carson for field trips. I highly recommend this class as well any Friday Harbor Labs courses as they give you such a unique experience and you are able to meet such a great group of researchers.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
I plan to work in technician jobs working alongside researchers and various corporations to do conservation and restoration efforts.
Allison Nichols
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Ana Olsen
Bachelor of Science, Majors in Marine Biology and Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
Jamie Michele Oman
Bachelor of Science, Majors in Marine Biology and Chemistry
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
I enjoyed all the field trips we were able to take, whether it was the COASST seabird survey with Dr. Jose Guzman, or the dock trip with Professor Jensen, I loved all the field experience.
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
I really loved my Arctic Marine Vertebrate Ecology Course with Dr. Kristin Laidre. Learning about her research and the relationships between the ice and marine life was fascinating.
Andrew Paley
Bachelor of Science, Majors in Marine Biology and Oceanography
Ella Persson
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science
Molly Philip
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Erika Pirozok
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Quantitative Science
Syona Rajagopalan
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
Friday Harbor was by far the best part about the program. It let me explore possible career paths and let me get in touch with field work opportunities and experiences! It was incredibly fun and an amazing learning experience.
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Luke Tornabene was an awesome professor. He was relatable, taught well, and was just downright cool. He made FISH 311 extremely fun.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
As per advice from other graduate students, I’m going to gain work experience through the field or lab before applying for a Master’s program.
Zoë Isabelle Reynolds
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
Friday harbor was amazing! Love the hands on experience and constantly being surrounded by marine life.
Emma Christine Smith
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
Friday Harbor Labs allowed me to run an entire experiment with my group of our choosing. This experience allowed us to collect data and create presentations that we used in undergrad symposiums and even get to write a featured article about! This was the best experience of my time here at UW.
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Jose Guzman and Kerry Naish pushed us so hard in 370 but I learned so much from them. They both are amazing teachers with teaching styles that helped us actually retain the information we learned and expanded our thinking.
Gabriel Stevanus
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minors in Quantitative Science and Environmental Studies
Henry Stier
Bachelor of Science, Majors in Marine Biology and Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
I loved my time in Marine Subtidal Ecology at Friday Harbor Labs. FHL is truly one of the best places to study marine biology, it is beautiful and the field experience possibilities are endless.
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Dr. Thomas Quinn has done so much to help me with my research and to shape me into a better writer and researcher. Dr. Luke Tornabene got me excited about the nitty gritty of fish biology, and I will always be grateful for that.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
I will be leaving to go commercial fishing for salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska shortly after graduation, and I hope to work for the department of fish and wildlife when I return
Keelyn Grace Taylor
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Adeline Thayer
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in American Indian Studies
Sadie Jane Van den Bogaerde
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Spanish
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
My time at Friday Harbor Labs was truly a few of the best weeks of my life– while I was there, I made some of my closest friends in college, designed and conducted an independent research project that involved snorkeling to collect data, and made incredible memories exploring the island. FHL gave me an entirely new appreciation for the incredible Puget Sound ecosystem that we are so lucky to live by!
What are your current plans post-graduation?
I am applying to medical school currently, and look forward to a summer of Puget Sound diving!
Dominic Edward Verretto
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Yuanqing (Amy) Wang
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology and Oceanography
Greta Weise
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Spanish
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
The highlights of my time at UW were my time spent observing the effect of vessel disturbance on seals at Friday Harbor Labs and meeting a variety of professionals in the marine science field throughout classes and events. Hearing from many perspectives helped me better understand what I want my path to look like after undergrad!
What are your current plans post-graduation?
Post-graduation, I will be interning with the Soundwatch Boater Education Program up in the San Juan Islands to help educate people on how best to protect the Southern Resident Killer Whales and other marine mammals from vessel disturbance!
Madison Weise *
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Bachelor of Arts, Major in Environmental Studies
Cecelia C. Wendel
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM?
I loved my time in the UW Marine Biology program, but spending a quarter at Friday Harbor Labs was the best part by far. Immersing myself into the marine environment and getting to study with people who love marine life as much as I do solidified this lifelong love of mine and made it feel “real.” My 5 year old self would be so proud to see me becoming an actual Marine Biologist!
Favorite class you took for the Marine Biology major and why?
Adam Summers was one of the best people I’ve ever gotten to work with. His knowledge of the environment inspired me to become a naturalist and really take notice of the beautiful world around us all.
What are your current plans post-graduation?
I am on the road to earning my PhD, but I want to get some more field experience before I dive back into school. My ultimate goal is to work with sharks and help recover their populations through marine protected areas!
Emerson Wright
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology, Minor in Quantitative Science
Jules Yearous
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
Michael Yurecko
Bachelor of Science, Majors in Marine Biology and Oceanography
Amythest Zhang
Bachelor of Science, Majors in Marine Biology and Biology
Hanna Zahirah Binti Zulmuthi
Bachelor of Science, Major in Marine Biology
* cum laude
Class list is shared by alumni on a voluntary basis and is not comprehensive. For official degree verification, please refer to the Office of the University Registrar.